Electric vehicle rescue system

ABSTRACT

An electrical vehicle (EV) rescue vehicle includes a mobile platform, which further includes a winch and a ramp. The mobile platform of the rescue vehicle is deployable for retrieving a disabled EV (the “rescued vehicle”) thereon with said winch and said ramp and for transportation of said EV. A charging unit is associated with said mobile platform for connection to and charging of the EV, either on location or during transport. A systems analysis module can be included with the system for testing the functionality of systems and components of the EV and providing results to customers. The mobile platform can be provided as a rescue vehicle in the form of a trailer pulled by another vehicle or integrated with another vehicle (e.g., a truck). The rescue vehicle can also carry passengers associated with said EV as the EV is being transported, charged, and/or analyzed by the rescue vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/792,147 entitled “Electric Vehicle Rescue System,” which wasfiled on Oct. 24, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/792,147 is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/080,705, entitled “Electric VehicleRescue System,” which was filed on Mar. 25, 2016, and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, and which issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,846,918 on Dec. 19, 2017.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/080,705 is a continuation of andclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/138,688, filed Mar. 26, 2015, entitled “Electric Vehicle RescueSystem”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thispatent application therefore claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/138,688, filed Mar. 26, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are related to systems and methods for charging, analyzing,and otherwise providing roadside assistance to stranded electricvehicles.

Electric vehicles are becoming widely accepted as a means of personaltransportation. Vehicle manufacturers such as GM, Tesla, BMW, and othershave been experiencing growth in sales and the market for electricvehicles. The concern voiced by many potential buyers of electricvehicles is that they may not be able to make it to the next chargingstation. Although several entities are working towards deployingcharging stations throughout metropolitan areas, electric vehicle ownersor would be owners still have concerns about running out of power.

There are companies that are providing rescue services to strandedelectric vehicles using a flatbed (e.g., a flatbed trailer or a flatbedintegrate with a vehicle) and winch to retrieve the electric vehicleonto the flatbed. The problem is that the electric vehicle will still bewithout power once it is towed to its destination.

SUMMARY

The present inventors believe there is need for a mobile electricvehicle rescue system than can tow a disabled electric vehicle (EV) andcharge it during transport to its destination. The present inventorsalso believe that analysis of the electrical vehicle during transportcan provide valuable information and service to customers requiringrescue. Retrieval, transport, charging, and analysis are features thatcan be offered to disabled vehicles as part of a roadside assistanceprogram.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an EV (ElectricalVehicle) rescue vehicle that includes a mobile platform including awinch and a ramp. The mobile platform of the rescue vehicle isdeployable for retrieving a disabled EV (the “rescued vehicle”) thereonwith the winch and the ramp and for transportation of the EV.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a chargingunit in association with said mobile platform for connection to andcharging of the EV, either on location or during transport of the EV.

It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a systemsanalysis module in association with the EV rescue system for testing thefunctionality of systems and components of the EV. Results of analysiscan be provided to customers.

It is another feature of the present invention that the mobile platformcan be provided as a rescue vehicle in the form of a trailer pulled byanother vehicle (e.g., pulled by a heavy duty truck) or integrated withanother vehicle (e.g., the truck).

It is also a feature of the present invention that the rescue vehiclecan also carry passengers associated with said EV as the EV is beingtransported, charged, and/or analyzed by the rescue vehicle.

It is also a feature of the present invention that a roadside assistanceservice can be provided via a network of independent providers connectedto stranded EV customers using a mobile apple via a data network andbased on physical location of the independent providers and the strandedcustomer making a request.

It is also a feature of the present invention that the rescue vehiclecan include means for charging batteries associated with the rescuevehicle or the rescued vehicle. At least one PV panel can be associatedwith the mobile platform to charge batteries when a vehicle is not beingtransported. A generator associated with wheels of the rescue vehiclecan generate power as the rescue vehicle is moving on a road or highwaywhile transporting a rescued vehicle.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparentgiven the figures and detailed specification provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of securing a rescue service by a customerin accordance with features of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram for a process in accordance withfeatures of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an electric vehicle rescue system 100 isillustrated that can tow a disabled electric vehicle (EV) 105 and chargeit during transport to a destination. The rescue system 100 can includea rescue vehicle 110 that includes a mobile platform 111 including awinch 112 and a ramp feature 113. The platform 111 can operate as theramp by mechanized tilting of the platform 111 toward the ground infront of a disabled vehicle as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1, or aseparate ramp section (not shown) can be deployed from the platform. Itis typical today for the entire platform to be manipulated away from therear of a truck as a rescue vehicle 110 to place the platform 111 infront of a disabled vehicle 105 that is requiring towing ortransportation. It is preferable today that the mobile platform 111 ofthe rescue vehicle 110 is deployable into an angled position in contactwith the ground for retrieving a disabled EV 105 (as the “rescuedvehicle”) thereon by operation of a winch 112, which is typicallyconnected to a tow hook, or the like, located near the front of adisabled vehicle 105 as the rescued vehicle is mechanically pulled ontothe platform 111 by the winch 112. Once the rescued vehicle 105 is inplace on the mobile platform 111, it is secured with straps or chainsfor transportation.

A charging unit 120 is included in association with the electric vehiclerescue system 100 for connection to and charging of the EV 105 byconnection to the EV's connection port 115. Charging of the EV 105 canoccur either on location or during transport of the EV on the mobileplatform 111. A customer can be charged separately for charging andtransportation, depending on the elected service.

A systems analysis module 130 can also be included in association withthe an electric vehicle rescue system 100 for testing the functionalityof systems and components of the EV 105, either on site or duringtransport of the EV 105 on the mobile platform 110. The system analysismodule can be connected to a test port (not shown) that is typicallyprovided in a compartment within the EV 105. Results of analysis can beprovided to customers in printed form or electronically via a datanetwork. A customer can also be charged separately for the analysis.

It should be appreciated that the mobile platform 111 can be provided asa rescue vehicle in the form of a trailer pulled by another vehicle(e.g., pulled by a heavy duty truck) or integrated with another vehicle(e.g., the truck 110 as shown). It should be appreciated that theelectric vehicle rescue system 100 can also include the ability to carrypassengers associated with said EV as the EV is being transported,charged, and/or analyzed by the rescue vehicle. For example, the mobileplatform 111 can be integrated or installed onto the back of a heavyduty, four door 107 (e.g., crew cab) truck that can also function as ashuttle for paying passengers.

It is also a feature of the present invention that the rescue vehiclecan include means for charging batteries associated with the rescuevehicle or the rescued vehicle. The means can include at least one PVpanel associated with the mobile platform 110 to charge batteries when avehicle is not being transported. A generator 140 can also be associatedwith at least one of the wheels 145 (or axles) of the rescue vehicle andcan generate power as the rescue vehicle is moving on a road or highwaywhile transporting a rescued vehicle. The time that it takes to chargean EV is dependent on the amount of amperage and power that can beprovided by the charging system. There are currently Level 1, Level 2,and DC charging stations available at stationary locations. The DCcharging stations, such as the 480 volt DC CHAdeMO fast chargingstations, are the highest power systems available today, are athree-phase system, and can charge an EV as soon as 20-30 minutes;however, significant power must be generated to accomplish fast charge.On a mobile platform, fast charge can also be accomplished if additionalmeans for generating power as described herein are provided, and if abank of batteries is available on the platform to transfer DC chargingenergy to the EV batteries. Any variation of solar panels, generators,and batteries can provide enhanced charging capabilities for the rescuevehicle.

Retrieval, transport, charging, and analysis are features that can beoffered to disabled vehicles as part of a roadside assistance program.Referring to FIG. 2, it is also a feature of the present invention thata roadside assistance service incorporated an electric vehicle rescuesystem 100 as described herein can be provided via a network ofindependent providers 230 that can be connected to stranded EV customers220 using a mobile application accessed by providers and customersalike, and the provider and customer matching and transaction aremanaged by a remote server 1300 via a data network 1400 and matching isbased on physical location (e.g., GPS, or triangulation based oncellular network towers 250) of the independent providers and thestranded customer making a request. Apps, such as UBER and LYFT areavailable on mobile devices to hire transportation from point A to pointB for a customer. However, there is not a similar app that can matchrescue vehicles with vehicles in need of rescue.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method in accordance with features of the presentinvention is illustrated. Referring to block 310, a customer connects toa remote server via a mobile application to request vehicle rescueservices. As shown in block 320, the server determines the requester'slocation and locates service providers near the requester. As shown inblock 330, the requester selects a service provider to provide rescueservices. As shown in block 340, the selected service provider acceptsthe request. Then as shown in block 350, the service provider bills therequester upon completion of services including at least one of EVcharging, EV transportation, and EV analysis.

1. A system for electric car rescue, said system comprising: a mobileplatform including a winch and a ramp, said mobile platform deployablefor retrieving an electric vehicle thereon with said winch and said rampfor transportation of said electric vehicle; and a charging unitassociated with said mobile platform for connection to said electricvehicle and for recharging of said electric vehicle.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said mobile platform comprises a trailer pulled byanother vehicle.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile platformis integrated with another vehicle.
 4. The system of claim 2 whereinsaid another vehicle is adapted to carry passengers associated with saidelectric vehicle as said electric vehicle is being charged by saidcharging unit.
 5. The system of claim 3 wherein said another vehicle isadapted to carry passengers associated with said electric vehicle assaid electric vehicle is being charged by said charging unit.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising a systems analysis module fortesting of a functionality of systems and components of said electricvehicle, wherein said systems analysis module connects to andelectrically communicates with said electric vehicle.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein said systems analysis module communicates with aprinting unit to render a report indicative of a result of said testingof said functionality of systems and components of said electricvehicle.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein said systems analysis modulecommunicates wirelessly to a remote server through a wireless network totransmit data and results of said testing of said functionality ofsystems and components of said electric vehicle.
 9. A system forelectric car rescue, said system comprising: a truck including a mobileplatform further comprising a winch and a ramp, said mobile platformdeployable for retrieving an electric vehicle thereon with said winchand said ramp for transportation of said electric vehicle; and acharging unit associated with said mobile platform for connection tosaid electric vehicle and for recharging of said electric vehicle duringtransportation of said electric vehicle on said mobile platform.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein said mobile platform is integrated withanother vehicle.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said another vehicleis adapted to carry passengers associated with said electric vehicle assaid electric vehicle is being charged by said charging unit.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9 further comprising a systems analysis module fortesting of a functionality of systems and components of said electricvehicle, wherein said systems analysis module connects to andelectrically communicates with said electric vehicle.
 13. The system ofclaim 12 wherein said systems analysis module communicates with aprinting unit to render a report indicative of a result of said testingof said functionality of systems and components of said electricvehicle.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein said systems analysis modulecommunicates wirelessly to a remote server through a wireless network totransmit data and results of said testing of said functionality ofsystems and components of said electric vehicle.
 15. A system forelectric car rescue, said system comprising: a mobile platform includinga winch and a ramp, said mobile platform deployable for retrieving anelectric vehicle thereon with said winch and said ramp fortransportation of said electric vehicle; a charging unit associated withsaid mobile platform for connection to said electric vehicle and forrecharging of said electric vehicle; and a systems analysis module fortesting of a functionality of systems and components of said electricvehicle, wherein said systems analysis module connects to andelectrically communicates with said electric vehicle.
 16. The system ofclaim 15 wherein said mobile platform comprises at least one of atrailer pulled by another vehicle or is integrated with another vehicle.17. The system of claim 16 wherein said another vehicle is adapted tocarry passengers associated with said electric vehicle as said electricvehicle is being charged by said charging unit.